The Role
Lead Chiefs for Change's finance function including financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, compliance, and risk management. Own the annual budget and board reporting, manage outsourced accounting partners and auditors, establish internal controls, and build multi-year financial models to support organizational growth. Supervise finance staff and partner with leadership and development to align financial strategy with mission and scale operations.
Summary Generated by Built In
Job Title: Director of Finance
Department: Finance/Operations
Reports To: Chief Strategy and Network Officer
Salary: $120,000 to $140,000
Work Location: Remote
Travel: Up to 15%
Make an Impact in This Role
The Director of Finance is the single, accountable in-house leader of Chiefs for Change’s finance function, responsible for the organization’s financial health, strategy, and integrity. Reporting to the Chief Strategy and Network Officer, this role oversees financial planning, forecasting, and budgeting; financial risk management; compliance; and reporting—while serving as a strategic partner to senior leadership and the Board. Beyond running day-to-day operational finance, the Director sets the organization’s multi-year financial direction, owns the annual budget through Board approval, and manages the relationship with Chiefs for Change’s retained accounting partner to preserve strong internal controls and segregation of duties. The Director works collaboratively with senior leadership and other key stakeholders to ensure the financial sustainability of Chiefs for Change and to align financial strategy with mission-driven objectives, positioning the finance function to scale as the organization grows.
Your Role in Our Success - Duties & Responsibilities
Financial Strategy & Multi-Year Planning
- Set and steward the organization’s multi-year financial strategy, building and maintaining models that connect long-range goals to annual operating plans.
- Develop scenario and sensitivity analyses to inform leadership decisions on growth, investment, staffing, and program expansion.
- Position the finance function to scale—anticipating the systems, staffing, and controls needed as the organization grows in size and complexity.
- Support the Chief Strategy and Network Officer and the leadership team in developing and executing multi-year financial strategies and sustainability plans.
- In collaboration with the leadership team and the development team, lead the annual budget development process, aligning financial planning with organizational priorities.
- Own the annual budget end-to-end—reviewing the build, refining assumptions, and presenting the budget to the Board for approval on the organization’s annual cycle.
- Monitor and report financial performance, ensuring adherence to budget and identifying areas for optimization.
- Develop and maintain financial forecasting models to support strategic decision-making.
- Oversee all aspects of financial operations, including accounting, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
- Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, grant requirements, and internal policies.
- Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for internal and external stakeholders, including the Board of Directors.
- Serve as the primary financial liaison to the Board and its finance/audit committee, translating financial performance into clear, decision-ready insight.
- Manage the relationship with the organization’s retained accounting partner, setting clear scope, service levels, and deliverables and holding the partner accountable for quality and timeliness.
- Preserve the segregation-of-duties strength of an independent external accounting function while maintaining clear in-house ownership of financial decisions and oversight.
- Coordinate the division of responsibilities between in-house staff and outsourced providers, adjusting the model as organizational needs evolve.
- Oversee external auditors, banking partners, and other financial vendors to ensure cost-effective, high-quality service.
- Establish written protocols and enforce internal controls to safeguard organizational assets.
- Maintain compliance with grant funding and philanthropic restrictions, providing required reporting and documentation.
- Conduct periodic financial audits and implement findings to improve financial management practices.
- Partner with the leadership team to align development strategies with organizational goals.
- Supervise finance team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
- Partner with the Development team to ensure effective grant management and alignment with organizational goals.
- Provide financial guidance to leadership and staff to enhance organizational decision-making.
- Lead initiatives to optimize financial systems and processes, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
- Support the Chief Strategy and Network Officer and the leadership team in developing and executing multi-year financial strategies.
- Actively contribute to cross-departmental projects, leveraging financial expertise.
Your Expertise and Impact - Qualifications & Requirements
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
- Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), Finance, Nonprofit Management, or a related field preferred.
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification preferred.
- 8 to 10+ years of progressive experience in financial management in a nonprofit setting, with at least 5 years in a financial leadership role.
- Experience owning an organizational budget through a Board approval cycle and presenting financial information to a Board or governing body.
- Experience managing outsourced accounting providers, auditors, and other financial vendors.
- Experience building multi-year financial models and supporting organizational growth or scaling preferred.
- Demonstrated expertise in nonprofit financial management, including grant compliance and fund accounting.
- Proficiency in financial management software (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite, etc.) and tools.
- Familiarity with fundraising platforms, donor databases, and the grant application process.
- Strong understanding of financial reporting standards and regulatory requirements.
- Strong ability to manage projects, resolve conflicts, and build collaborative working environments.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts to a non-financial audience.
- Ability to foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including board members and corporate partners.
- Ability to translate long-term goals into actionable plans to ensure successful completion of financial goals.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt strategies quickly to meet the evolving needs of the organization, particularly in response to organizational shifts or economic challenges.
- Strong decision-making skills, with a proven ability to anticipate challenges and develop agile solutions that align with organizational goals.
Thriving in Your Role: Core Competencies
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic Management
- Strategic Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Change Leadership
- Effective Teaming
- Trust & Collaboration
- Communication & Influence
- Conflict Resolution
- Self-Management
- Growth Mindset
- Empathy
- Ownership
- Mission-Driven
Role-Specific Competencies
- Finance Strategy & Planning
- Financial Analysis & Forecasting
- Budgeting & Financial Planning
- Multi-Year Financial Modeling & Scenario Planning
- Procurement & Risk Management
- Outsourced Partner & Vendor Management
- Financial Stewardship
- Internal Controls & Compliance
- Cash Flow & Budget Monitoring
- Board Reporting & Financial Communication
- Development & Donor Relations
- Donor Cultivation & Prospecting
- Fundraising Campaigns & Grant Management
Compensation & Your Path to Growth
We offer a comprehensive compensation package aligned with a career progression plan that ties your demonstrated abilities and proven performance to growth opportunities within your role and the organization. This plan provides clear pathways for advancement, with compensation levels reflecting your progression and impact. At Chiefs for Change, we are committed to fair, transparent, and consistent compensation practices. This role is aligned to our Director-level compensation structure, with a starting salary range of $120,000–$140,000, depending on proficiency level. Growth in compensation is tied to demonstrated increases in proficiency and scope over time, rather than automatic movement within a salary band. This approach helps reduce bias, promotes consistency, and ensures transparency throughout the hiring process.
How to Apply
Chiefs for Change has exclusively retained OneDigital's Nonprofit HR Executive Search team to lead recruitment efforts for this critical position. For consideration, all interested candidates should submit a completed application, including cover letter and resume at https://nonprofithr.applytojob.com/apply/a1Q2NyY4FL
Preference will be given to candidates who apply prior to July 10th, 2026
For any specific inquiries about this opportunity, please contact Hakimu Shuttlesworth Davidson, Executive Recruiter with OneDigital's Nonprofit HR Executive Search team, at [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field
- Master's degree (MBA, Finance, Nonprofit Management) preferred
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification
- 8 to 10+ years progressive experience in nonprofit financial management
- At least 5 years in a financial leadership role
- Experience owning an organizational budget through Board approval and presenting to a Board
- Experience managing outsourced accounting providers, auditors, and financial vendors
- Experience building multi-year financial models and scenario/sensitivity analyses
- Expertise in nonprofit financial management, grant compliance, and fund accounting
- Proficiency with financial management software (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite)
- Familiarity with fundraising platforms, donor databases, and grant application processes
- Strong verbal and written communication and leadership skills
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
The Company
What We Do
As the country's leading full-service human resources firm focused exclusively on the nonprofit sector, we understand the unique needs of mission-driven organizations like no one else. We know that your organization is only as effective as your people. That's where we come in. We partner with nonprofits and associations in talent acquisition, executive search, human resources consulting and education & training, all with the objective of making the nonprofit workforce the best it can be. Since 2000, we have amplified the impact of the world’s most influential nonprofit organizations, from Amnesty International to Greenpeace and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Nonprofit HR is also widely recognized for nonprofit sector research and thought leadership. We publish the leading annual study on nonprofit employment practices and host a variety of educational events for nonprofit professionals. Need to talk with someone about your organization's talent management priorities? Reach us in your metro market: National Headquarters in Washington, DC: 202.785.2060 New York, NY: 917.246.5042 Philadelphia, PA: 215.367.1642 Boston, MA: 617.412.4050 Los Angeles, CA: 323.789.6419 San Francisco, CA: 650.331.3252
